'TRIPTYCH' TELLS THREE WOMEN'S TANGLED LOVE STORY.Byline: - Evan Henerson IT'S A TANGLED web indeed woven by Edna O'Brien Noun 1. Edna O'Brien - Irish writer (born in 1932) O'Brien in her three-character play ``Triptych,'' an opus that appears to be a love triangle A love triangle is a romantic relationship involving three people (known as a triad). While it can refer to two people independently romantically linked with a third, it usually implies that each of the three people has some kind of relationship to the other two. (is there such a thing as a love square?) involving a man, his wife, his mistress and his daughter. We never actually even meet Henry, the selfish but clearly seductive writer over whom women seem to lose their common sense. But, boy, do we see the casualties. Director Robin Gammell, helming this second in the Nomad Theatre The Nomad Theatre is an amateur theatre in East Horsley, in the South East of England. The theatre was completed in 1998, mainly funded from the Lottery, via the Arts Council England. Notable shows include The Sound of Music, Noises Off, and the yearly performance of Play in a Week. Company's three-play season at the Matrix, begins the action by placing his three ladies in three different locations: a parlor, an actress's dressing room and what looks like a bedroom. The characters are on stage, establishing elements of their identities even before the action gets under way. Then Pauline, the wife, attends a performance of ``The Duchess of Malfi'' starring Clarissa, her husband's mistress, and we're off and running. Pauline (played by Susan Clark Susan Clark (born March 8, 1940 in Sarnia, Ontario) is a Canadian actress, best known as Katherine Papadapolis in the TV sitcom Webster. She is married to her Webster co-star Alex Karras. ) is an angry, wounded, let-it-all-hang-out kind of lady. She'll share her man rather than lose him, and embarrass embarrass /em·bar·rass/ (em-bar´as) to impede the function of; to obstruct. em·bar·rass v. To interfere with or impede (a bodily function or part). the pants off everybody in the process (herself included.) Clarissa (played in alternating performances by Kaye Kittrell and Linda Slade) is capable of mortification MORTIFICATION, Scotch law. This term is nearly synonymous with mortmain. , and she knows her affair with a married man is not wise. Nor, unfortunately, can she help herself. Finally, there's Brandi (Rosemary Morgan and Samantha Sloyan), the daughter. A punkish teen daddy's girl who is at a particularly vulnerable time in her life, she's embarrassed by her mom and appalled at Clarissa - whom she confronts. Brandi could probably use a strong father figure just about now. O'Brien's play makes for a busy and often charged 70 minutes. Clark, her character so angry and so possessed of self-knowledge (but with little emotional restraint) is ``Triptych's'' center. Just as strong, as she moves from a cool and composed sophisticate to a morally compromised home-wrecker, is Slade's Clarissa, an actress who ends up playing two superb roles - the Duchess of Malfi and ``As You Like It's'' Rosalind - but can't summon either character's power off stage. TRIPTYCH - Three and one half stars Where: Matrix Theatre, 76657 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood West Hollywood A community of southern California northeast of Beverly Hills. It is mainly residential. Population: 36,600. . When: 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday; through Feb. 12. Tickets: $25. Call (866) 966-6623. In a nutshell: A taut and knowing look at the tangled weavings of love. |
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